Thanks to their construction and durability, intermediate bulk containers are an excellent alternative to the standard drum that is still prevalent in the US.
The advantages of an IBC tank over a drum cover all aspects of container use:
- Removal issues
- product loss
- shipping costs
- Work expenses
- liability issues
The reasons why many shippers choose IBCs over drums are clear:
- 73% reduction in container costs
- You only need to lease a 550 gallon IBC tank vs. ten 55-gallon drums.
- Eradication of all pallet costs
- IBC tanks have 3-way or 4-way hairpin channels; no pallets required.
- 90% lower labor costs
- Time spent handling, filling, storing and transporting is reduced.
- 96% reduction in product loss
- Fewer bins, with sloped drains offering better drainage, means less product loss.
- 55% reduction in removal, cleaning and return freight
- It is much more efficient to clean and return an IBC monthly than to dispose of 120 drums.
- 75% difference in total annual cost per 6,600 gallons
- $1.48/gallon for drums vs. $0.38/gallon for IBC tanks
- Immeasurable relief from concerns about disposal and liability
- IBCs are reusable, environmentally friendly, and less likely to be illegally dumped.
Switching from drums to IBC tanks not only saves money but also keeps your peace of mind. IBCs can reduce the number of workplace accidents and injuries because workers use forklifts, rather than brute force, to move tanks.
Using IBC containers instead of drums can also reduce filling and handling times by up to 80 percent: fewer containers means less time to open and close tanks. IBCs also drain faster and more completely, reducing waste disposal down the road.